The most recent version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
